Saint of the Day – 1 September – St Joshua the Patriarch

Joshua (‘God is salvation’) – also known Joshua the Prophet, Joshua, son of Nun, Giosuè, Hosea, Hoshea, Jehoshua, Jesus, Josua, Josue, Josuë, Jozua, Jozuë, Osee, Yehoshu’a, Yehoshúa, Yeshua – was Moses’ assistant and later succeeded him as the leader of the Israelites.

Joshua was charged by Moses with selecting and commanding a militia group for their first battle after exiting Egypt, against the Amalekites in Rephidim. He later accompanied Moses when he ascended Mount Sinai to commune with God, and he was with Moses when he descended from the mountain, heard the Israelites’ celebrations around the Golden Calf. Joshua was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout out the land of Canaan. 

Joshua and Caleb were the only two who had confidence in God and would recommended a direct attack. Because of their faith and trust they were exempt from the condemnation of their generation to death in the wilderness outside the Promised Land. The book of Joshua recounts his victories at Jericho, Ai, and other places.

Just before he died at the age of 110, he convened the elders and chiefs of the Israelites and exhorted them to have no fellowship with the native population, because it could lead them to be unfaithful to God.

No man shall be able to resist you all the days of thy life: as I have been with Moses, so will I be with thee: I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Joshua 1:5